bling

Here’s one fashion trend that’s high on style and function. Cross-body purses are cute and stylish, and they’re also the Bluetooth of bags (they keep your hands free).

And because they come in whatever style you want them to, we suggest you make a cross-body bag your best friend for the next few months.

Here’s our pick of some cool cross-body bags to go with a variety of looks:

Casual

Take your pick of colour and embellishment to go with your jeans and tee.

Below: Ballestero cross-body bag from Aldo; Ambrosiana from Hidesign.

Satchel

Great for college or work, these spacious cross-body bags with extra pockets and buckles are great to dump your wallet, keys and makeup kit!

Below: Glasto linen satchel from French Connection; City bound foldover convertible cross-body satchel from Nine West

Dressy

Shiny, embellished or printed—match (or clash) your evening or day dress with a eye-catching sling bag or miaudière.

Below: Poppy Love clutchbox from French Connection; Party box animal minaudière; Patent shoulder bag from Zara

So which bag is your pick?

In 2011, Accessories, Fashion, trends

Chic accessory trend: Cross-body bags for casual, smart, dressy (and all other) looks

Speaking ChicJune 27, 20111 Comment

Here’s one fashion trend that’s high on style and function. Cross-body purses are cute and stylish, and they’re also the Bluetooth of bags (they keep your hands free).

And because they come in whatever style you want them to, we suggest you make a cross-body bag your best friend for the next few months.

Here’s our pick of some cool cross-body bags to go with a variety of looks:

Casual

Take your pick of colour and embellishment to go with your jeans and tee.

Below: Ballestero cross-body bag from Aldo; Ambrosiana from Hidesign.

Satchel

Great for college or work, these spacious cross-body bags with extra pockets and buckles are great to dump your wallet, keys and makeup kit!

Below: Glasto linen satchel from French Connection; City bound foldover convertible cross-body satchel from Nine West

Dressy

Shiny, embellished or printed—match (or clash) your evening or day dress with a eye-catching sling bag or miaudière.

Below: Poppy Love clutchbox from French Connection; Party box animal minaudière; Patent shoulder bag from Zara

So which bag is your pick?

In 2011, Fashion, trends, WIFW AW 2011

WIFW A/W 2011: How to wear Day 4 trends

Speaking ChicApril 10, 2011Leave a comment

Speaking Chic put some of the outfits and trends from the fourth day of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2011 through our magnifying glass and came up with some key advice for these select pieces and trends:

White for winter

Sonia Sarin’s all-white collection, with shiny bandanas.

Speaking Chic says: White is the (non)colour for all seasons, except the prolonged monsoon.

How should you wear this?: As it is, or white teamed with almost any colour is just as nice!

Florals for winter

Anupamaa by Anupama Dayal had a Mughalflower-inspired collection.

Speaking Chic says: Last season, winter florals made an appearance on and off the ramp. Anupama Dayal’s floral collection seems to have a strong summer link (though this is from her Autumn/Winter collection).

How should you wear this?: Only in deeper colours for winter.

Shiny!

Koga by Jenjum and Jasleen’s shiny surfaces were mixed with colours like greens, reds, oranges and blues.

Speaking Chic says: Over the last few seasons, fashion has taken a subdued approach to bling. But they’re still perfect for partying and glam nights out.

How should you wear this?: Only one shiny garment at a time, please!

Tailored formals

Atsu Sekhose showcased a largely formal wear collection with tailoring, along with detailing like ruffles and sequins.

Speaking Chic says: Fine tailoring, colours like purple, maroon, teal, midnight blue and black make for great formal wear. The bling factor is right for the night.

How should you wear this?: Any way you like—formals are never out of style.

Wooden fashion

Alpana and Neeraj used wood-finished mouldable materials to create striated and blistered wood textures. It was twisted, bolted, shredded and interlaced to form the structures and corsets, often getting a 3D look.

Speaking Chic says: This out-of-the-box approach to fashion gets a thumbs-up from us, though we hope this gets more wearable in the retail version.

How should you wear this?: A bit more fabric and a bit less wood would be more wearable.

Wire and cables

My Village by Rimzim Dadu incorporated metal and plastic fibres for a futuristic look.

Speaking Chic says: If you appreciate Rimzim Dadu’s technique and creativity, then this outfit will make you feel special, powerful and unique.

How should you wear this?: With truckloads of attitude.

Fluid fabrics

Gaurav Gupta used satins and lycra-based jerseys to create fluid and drapey silhouettes.

Speaking Chic says: Drapes got a different twist in the ace designer’s garments, ranging from messy ruffles to a zippered bodice. Super-like!

How should you wear this?: In a draping style that suits your body type.

In Accessories, Fashion

Wedding Fashion: Brooch it up!

Speaking ChicFebruary 16, 20112 Comments

I love accessories—especially the smaller ones like hair clips, bangles and rings. They may be small in size, but they make a big (yet subtle) impact on my final look.

Which brings me to my accessory of choice this wedding season: the brooch!

How many of us have brooches? (I didn’t, until a short while ago). How many of us have brooches and wear them often? (I’m waiting for the wedding cocktail tonight to wear mine).

How to wear a brooch (some fun ideas!):

If you are wearing a kurta-churidar-dupatta, let your dupatta hang on one side and use the brooch to keep it in place.
Run a hair pin through it and use it as a hair decoration.
Wearing a long jacket? Pin it right in the middle!
Use it to keep your sari pleats in place (to draw attention to your envious waist).

Where to buy a brooch:

If you don’t have a brooch yet, fret not! Your friendly neighbourhood store (where you buy scrunchies, hair clips and other goodies) might have some.
Head to the multi-designer stores like Ensemble, Re or Amara—they stock accessories from clutches to sandals to art jewellery, and you might find brooches there.
Several Indian bridal wear designers also have brooches.
Hunt online! There are plenty of fashion sale websites that offer great deals. I bought the Tarun Tahiliani brooch I from a website recently, and it cost me approximately Rs 1500.

In 2011, Beauty

Chic Fragrances: Romantic perfumes for Valentine’s Day

Speaking ChicFebruary 8, 2011Leave a comment

The best perfumes make for great indulgences— for yourself, or as gifts for your special someone. This Valentine’s Day, gift an exotic perfume to your special someone, or choose a fragrance that makes you feel gorgeous for your night out.

L’Occitane Fleur Cherie Eau de Toilette

This new fragrance has a heart of jasmine and orange blossom, with a lingering aroma of musk and patchouli.

Emporio Armani Diamonds

Adorn your dressing table with this diamond-inspired perfume bottle (Diamonds for femme). Though the fruity freshness comes from raspberry and lychee, the perfume has a floral heart built with rose, tinted by freesia and lily of the valley.

The homme variant has a woody signature, and is encased in a sleek crystal-clear bottle with a classy chrome spraycap.

Ralph Lauren Summer Romance

The latest offering from Ralph Lauren’s Romance collection, this fresh fruity floral perfume in a pink bottle will transport you to the nearest tropical island. The fragrance evokes romance with blooming flowers (hibiscus, tiare flower), exotic fruits (mandarin, passion fruit), and milky sweet musk (exotic woods, apricot musk).

Which is your favourite “romantic” perfume?

In Bad Fashion, Bollywood Fashion, Celebs, Fashion

Bollywood Fashion: Madhuri Dixit vs Urmila on TV dance shows

Speaking ChicFebruary 1, 20114 Comments

What’s common between Madhuri Dixit and Urmila Matondkar? Both “former”/ “semi-retired” actors have now made the TV their home and judge dance reality shows. Madhuri Dixit judges celebrities dancing on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, while Urmila has just joined the panel on Chak Dhoom Dhoom (Team Challenge).

Here in ends the similarity. Madhuri Dixit has always epitomised grace, natural Indian beauty and charm. Urmila, on the other hand, has tried to play the spunky modern Indian girl since her Rangeela days. And the difference continues… in their fashion choices on the small screen.

While both actors are no longer young, Madhuri Dixit seems to have accepted that she’s now a mom. Playing the role of a good Indian mom, she’s been wearing Sabyasachi saris and kurta-churidars on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, comfortable enough to dance in them. Her makeup and hair are appropriate for her age, and she gives her look an Indian touch with flowers in her hair, a simple bun, bangles or other jewellery.

Urmila, on the other hand, is an eyesore. In Saturday’s episode, she wore a blingy outfit, with big hair, which made me quickly change the channel. Here’s Urmila in her first episode, in a colour that doesn’t suit her, her typical hair style (bangs blow-dried on the side), and makeup that’s completely unbecoming (it ages her). And her cleavage-revealing dress just makes me feel sad for her: is she that desperate to get attention? Wisen up, Ms Matondkar.

Our only complaint with Madhuri Dixit: she’s chosen to stick to safe Sabyasachi choices. Yawwnn! So please, please, Madhuri, either get Sabyasachi to design more exciting saris and suits. Take a hint from co-judge Malaika Arora Khan. She likes to have fun with her clothes.. (Her outfits on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa are by Vikram Phadnis).

What do you think of Madhuri Dixit and Urmila Matondkar’s TV outfits?

In 2010, Fashion, trends

Party dresses: Black is chic!

Speaking ChicDecember 21, 2010Leave a comment

It’s Christmas week; it’s time to get in the party mood. And it’s time to pick out the right party dress, accessories and makeup. We kick off our party series with eternal party favourites: Little Black Dresses (LBDs).

LBD with a twist

Wear your LBD in an unusual cut that will flatter your body shape. Cinch it at the waist with an eye-catching belt: it could be in a pop colour or studded, or both!

Dress from Vizyon; belt from Charles & Keith.

Asymmetrical Dresses

Asymmetrical hemlines are fun to wear and can play peek-a-boo if you want to flaunt your toned bod. Add on some shimmer and sparkle, and you’re set to party!

Dress from Vizyon.

LBDs: Little Black Blazers

If you like to defy convention and stay away from dresses, try a night-time blazer with interesting details like sequins or stones. Pair with super skinny dark jeans or mini skirt.

Blazer from mapxencaRS by Riddhi & Siddhi.

Which of these LBDs do you want to wear?

In Beauty

Chic wedding makeup: Mesmerising Metallic

Speaking ChicNovember 20, 20101 Comment

If you’re going to a wedding this winter, your sari, lehenga or kurta-churidar is most likely to be embroidered in gold. After all, zardosi, gota embroideries and everything gold is in vogue this season.

And the best makeup to complement Indian wear this season is to metallic. We show you how in Speaking Chic’s Mesmerising Metallic makeup guide:

Face

If you can carry off a bronzer on your skin, then bring it on. Or stay safe with your oft-used blush.

Eyes

Play up the metallic tones with the right eye makeup. Here’s how:

Sweep metallic eye shadow over your eyelid. (Check out Lancome’s Sensational Effects Eye Shadow in Pose).
Or, if you want to add more colour, cover your upper eyelid in a colour that matches your outfit (pink, purple or green). Then add a dot of golden/ metallic eye shadow/ shimmer on the inner corners of your eyes.

Lips

Avoid pinks and purples; instead use an earthy lip colour and add a touch of gold (lip gloss or shimmer) only to the centre of your lips. (Try Avon lipsticks in metallic shades.)

Hair

Moms are bound to have lovely hair ornaments (like maang tikkas) they hardly wore. Borrow a gold-themed one for the wedding, while minimising other accessories (you don’t want to overdo the bling, right?).

Check your makeup in the mirror once, smile, and you’re set for the wedding. 🙂

Are you ready to go metallic for the next wedding?

In Bad Fashion

Fashion Eeeks: Weird pants!

Speaking ChicNovember 16, 2010Leave a comment

Caution: Spy shot!

I spotted a steel industrialist’s daughter, who’s married to a hotelier, at a recent fashion week (let’s call her N) . And her outfit was worthy enough to make it to Speaking Chic’s Fashion Eeeks pages. 😉

N was wearing a black Mango tshirt with ummmm… loose pants? There’s a band of some kind of embroidery on the printed pants. And the result: yikes!

Dearest N, you could wear those pants while walking your dog or chilling at home. Or not buy those horrendous pants at all. I’m sure you can hire a stylist or buy better clothes, right?

In Bad Fashion, Fashion, LFW W/F 2010

LFW: Neeta Lulla’s blinding collection

Speaking ChicSeptember 27, 2010Leave a comment

My eyes! My eyes! Neeta Lulla’s Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2010 collection was an uncomfortable experience, to say the least. At one point, I wanted to close my eyes and walk out of the main show area.

Too loud. Too OTT. Too much bling. I should have worn dark glasses to the show.

As a journalist later told me, “Ghastly!”

PS— As mentioned in our Neeta Lulla preview, we weren’t expecting much from the show, but we never thought it would be this bad either. Sigh!